A special episode for Podcasthaton 2025!

Please support, donate, or volunteer with MBRNPC: Military Birth Resource Network and Postpartum Coalition.

Military Parental Leave Program (MPLP) information here.

Military Parental Leave Program (MPLP) FAQs here.

~~~

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

• Support for MBRNPC: Military Birth Resource Network and Postpartum Coalition
• What is the 12-Week Parental Leave for US military members
• This parental leave is NOT a holiday!

~~~

Disclaimer: The content in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only. Please see your medical provider for medical advice.

~~~

CONNECT WITH KRISTAL

• Website: Bridges In Health
• Buy My Book 'Postpartum 30: Thirty Days To A Nurtured Fourth Trimester'
• YouTube @drkristallau
• Instagram @mamaswingwoman
• TikTok @drkristallau
• LinkedIn @kristallau

Storytime episode with Dr Kristal Lau where she shares her brush with grief for her "old self" during her Matrescence and motherhood journey.


EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

• Why I felt grief despite having a healthy pregnancy and smooth birth experience
• Stages of Grief
• How to hold space for a mom if she's experiencing this type of grief

QUOTES

"I'm gonna talk about grief that's not related to a physical loss. In fact, it's grief related to feeling like you losing your old self before you became a mom or dad."

"It's not just made up and you're not feeling selfish or dumb for having the sense of loss for your old self or your old life."

"When I first started feeling this intense sensation of loss. I didn't know what to do with it because I had a healthy pregnancy. I didn't understand why I was feeling this way because I really felt it not just a deep, heavy feeling in my chest, but this pit in my stomach, like something is gone forever and that I was never gonna get it back. "

~~~

Please seek help from your family and friends, your health provider, or your counselor and therapist, if you need to talk to someone. Even your religious or spiritual advisor or community member if you're more comfortable with them.

Read the blog & transcript: https://www.mamaswingwoman.com/ep14

~~~

I offer postpartum coaching to help new moms and their families adjust to the big changes when a new baby arrives. This takes time and someone to really care about the unique-ness of what you and your family need and want.

Book a free 30-minute Discovery Call with me to see if we jive and how you can reach your postpartum goals with me! [https://calendly.com/drkristallau/ppconnect]

CONNECT WITH KRISTAL

• Website: Bridges In Health
• Buy My Book 'Postpartum 30: Thirty Days To A Nurtured Fourth Trimester'
• YouTube @drkristallau
• Instagram @mamaswingwoman
• TikTok @drkristallau
• LinkedIn @kristallau

Learn why many Chinese and East Asian parents want a baby born under this zodiac sign and how this cultural belief leads to a baby boom that affects mothers, families, population census, services, and businesses.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

• Why the Year of the Dragon is a BIG DEAL
• A Brief Introduction to the Significance of this Chinese Zodiac Sign
• Effects of this cultural belief on individuals up to population level

QUOTES

"The dragon is the most revered and majestic animal and Chinese mythology and culture. It symbolizes power, nobility, honor, luck, and success."

"...roughly 25% more babies were born among the Chinese populations of Singapore and Malaysia during the 1988 year of the Dragon compared with the previous year. In response, Singapore, three quarters of which is ethnically Chinese, opened nine new primary schools."

Want to DIY your confinement month? Buy my book 'Postpartum 30' to learn how! https://www.mamaswingwoman.com/postpartumbook

Read the blog: https://www.mamaswingwoman.com/ep13

ARTICLE LINKS

• China Highlights: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/dragon.htm
• National Post: https://nationalpost.com/news/world/many-chinese-believe-dragon-babies-destined-for-greatness-but-baby-booms-have-unintended-consequences
• BBC World Asia: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-16589052
• Al-Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/1/23/year-of-the-dragon-roars-into-asia
• Medium Master Steven Chen: https://medium.com/@thechinesezodiac/is-2024-a-good-year-to-have-a-baby-befd6abbca65
• Courtly: https://www.courtly.com/resources/couples-rush-to-have-baby-dragons-chinese-zodiac
• The Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/11/01/getting-wed-to-get-little-dragons
• Mothership: https://mothership.sg/2023/11/luxurious-confinement-centre-6000-a-night/

CONNECT WITH KRISTAL

• Website: Bridges In Health
• Buy My Book 'Postpartum 30: Thirty Days To A Nurtured Fourth Trimester'
• YouTube @drkristallau
• Instagram @mamaswingwoman
• TikTok @drkristallau
• LinkedIn @kristallau